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Srinivasan saved Dhoni: Amarnath

New Delhi: Former BCCI selector Mohinder Amarnath told CNN-IBN on Wednesday that BCCI president N Srinivasan, who is also the owner of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings that MS Dhoni captains, overruled the sacking of the Indian skipper after India's eight consecutive overseas Test defeats in 2011-12.

"All five selectors wanted Dhoni to be sacked after India were whitewashed in England and Australia, but BCCI president intervened to allow Dhoni to continue as captain," Amarnath told IBN18 Editor-in-Chief, Rajdeep Sardesai, on Wednesday.

"I considered resigning as selector after I was overruled. We decided to sack Dhoni and replace him with new ODI and Test captains," the former selector said.

"Selectors picked Virat Kohli as captain for the tri-series. Dhoni was dropped from the 17-man squad," he said, adding "Dhoni doesn't deserve to be in the team on current performance. Dhoni is not good enough to play Test cricket for India."

Throwing Gautam Gambhir's name into the fray, Amarnath, who is known to play and talk with a straight bat, said until someone is asked to captain, we won't know if he is good to lead India or not. "No captain can survive after two whitewashes in overseas series. Replacement for Dhoni will only be known if someone gets a chance. Gambhir should replace Dhoni as captain of the Indian Test team."

Amarnath also highlighted the need to blood youngsters and giving the selectors a "free hand" in picking a team. "Young players have to be given a chance to perform. BCCI should ensure selectors can function in a free and fair manner," he said.

The member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team also suggested that it's time for Sachin Tendulkar to retire. "Sachin should leave the scene quickly, his reflexes have slowed," he opined.

Reacting to Amarnath's revelation, IPL chairman, Rajiv Shukla, said, "I don't think it's appropriate for any former selector to make any such statements. This an unnecessary thing. Selectors are independent to take decisions. The board never mounts any pressure on them."

Kris Srikkanth, who led the selection panel Amarnath was part of, refused to comment. "I don't want to comment. Everybody has the right to opinion. I would not like to reveal what happened at the selection committee meeting," he said.